A Norwegian skier terribly scared everyone at the World Cup: she fell unconscious right on the slope

A Norwegian skier terribly scared everyone at the World Cup: she fell unconscious right on the slope

Batraz Tomaev December 19, 2023, 20:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.

Ski racing fainting is becoming common. Are the results worth sacrificing?

Women’s sport is wonderful, but sometimes cruel. Does anyone remember how heroic Slovenian skier Petra Majdic won her personal medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics? Her bronze in the sprint cost her rib fractures and a pneumothorax. Fortunately, these stories were not repeated. But tenacious athletes who value their work are not used to giving up and sometimes fight until they lose consciousness.

“I refused to give up”

Thus, in the fourth stage of the 2023/2024 Cross-Country World Cup, Norwegian skier Juli Bjervig Drivenes lost consciousness during the classic 10 km time trial. It happened in Trondheim (Norway).

Already during the race, Drivenes became ill and decided to withdraw from the race. Then the skier fell to the ground and fainted, terribly frightening everyone who was near this place. And when I came to my senses, I cried.

The 24-year-old athlete explained the incident with severe back pain.

“I refused to give up and endured this pain for too long. Then I had a panic attack. Hyperventilation started and I had no choice but to stop. It was terrible. It wasn’t too scary because I’ve experienced it many times. I know what the problem is. I’m just disappointed. I tried a lot to prepare, but because of panic I can’t take advantage of my opportunities,” Yuli said.

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Norwegian skier collapses during World Cup race due to back pain

You got up? You are a champion!

The Swedish Frida Carlsson also suffers from health problems from time to time. Several similar cases are associated with her name.

A year ago, at the final of the Tour de Ski stage race, the athlete lost consciousness immediately after the finish line. A medical team came to the rescue and the organizers asked not to broadcast what happened on television. Karlsson and the doctors had to be covered with billboards.

The skier was later taken away on a stretcher and artificial oxygen was administered. Fortunately, he quickly woke up and learned that for the first time in his life he had won a prestigious stage race.

Details of that surprising victory:

“She was unconscious.” The Swedish skier fainted at the finish line, but he became champion!

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Frida Carlsson also lost consciousness! Being the favorite of the skiathlon, the Swedish skier finished in fifth place. And after the race she collapsed in the snow. “I woke up when they poured juice into my mouth. I believe that the reason for the loss of consciousness lies in several factors. It was cold, I felt a lot of tension, which then went away a little, that’s why it was empty. It was hard for me,” SVT quotes Karlsson.

I lost consciousness four times!

Well, in March of this year the Olympic champion Verónica Stepanova had health problems. In Champion Heights, a skier fell in the snow after finishing the mass start. She needed the doctors’ help. Feeling empowered, Stepanova posted an appeal. Her first sentence made many gasp: “Thank you to everyone who helped and cared. I’m fine”.

The video of Veronica fainting can be seen here:

Video

Veronica Stepanova felt bad after finishing the 30 km race. She needed help from the doctors.

And recently, St. Petersburg skier Ekaterina Kipyatkova lost consciousness during a youth competition. And four times!

“I started, ran the first lap and on the second lap I suddenly lost control, took a step to the side and just lay down on the climb. When I opened my eyes, I was already in the ambulance; It turns out that they took me there on a Buran. The doctors said I lost consciousness four times. They wanted to take me to the hospital, but I begged them to take me to the hotel. Of course, there is no longer talk of a massive start. I hope to recover for the fourth stage of the Kyrgyz Republic in Kirovo-Chepetsk,” the Telegram channel “From below or to below” quotes Kipyatkova.

As spectacular as the fight between skiers is, it is equally dangerous. After all, performing at the limit of your abilities is another test.